“All they or those can do, at best, is to diminish a social evil, not eradicate it,” he continued. “No matter how substantial an improvement may be, ethically speaking it will always be negligible, because there will always be those – say, just one person – who won’t profit from this improvement.”

And then this sobering judgment:

“The world is not perfect; the Golden Age never was or will be.”

Brodsky knew of the imperfect world, of the dangers that come from trusting politicians to do too much. He was a poet in a land where words were considered dangerous. He was labeled a “social parasite” and sentenced to hard labor in a Soviet prison camp. He came to America in 1972, became a citizen and eventually his adopted country’s poet laureate.

He considered us lucky to live in a democracy, even though it was imperfect – “this halfway house between nightmare and utopia,” he called it.

As we head to the voting booth on Tuesday, it is worth it to remember his words. Exercise your right and duty, but beware as well – lest we lean too far toward the nightmare and abandon the dream.

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About John Schoonejongen

John Schoonejongen is state editor for Gannett New Jersey newspapers. He has reported and edited at New Jersey newspapers from Salem County to Passaic County, writing about everything from state politics to lost pigs on the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Born in Camden County, he still speaks with a southern New Jersey accent, much to his wife's annoyance.

About the Authors

Bob JordanBob Jordan has covered state, county and muncipal governments for the past 10 years. He has also covered the gaming industry and has been a sports team beat writer for NHL, NBA and major league baseball teams.E-mail Bob

John SchoonejongenJohn Schoonejongen is state editor for Gannett New Jersey newspapers. He has reported and edited at New Jersey newspapers from Salem County to Passaic County, writing about everything from state politics to lost pigs on the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Born in Camden County, he still speaks with a southern New Jersey accent, much to his wife's annoyance.E-mail John

Michael SymonsMichael Symons has covered seven governors while working in Gannett's Statehouse Bureau -- a stint which actually only stretches back to 2000, but the door revolves quickly in New Jersey politics. He's co-author of the biography "Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power."E-mail Michael